Listening to Eternity: The Music, Spirituality, and Creative World of Composer Tommie Haglund

Listening to Eternity invites readers on an extraordinary journey through the life and creative process of Tommie Haglund, one of Sweden's most renowned contemporary classical composers. His music, often described as introspective and spiritual, has touched audiences worldwide with its depth and emotional clarity. Author and scholar Aram Yardumian, through a series of intimate conversations, reveals a vivid portrait of an artist whose music is inextricably linked to his spiritual experiences and personal struggles.

Formative Years

From the opening pages, we are drawn into Haglund's world, beginning with his earliest musical memories. The composer recalls the profound impact of his aunt Margreth's voice: “The heart of my music started with that voice.” This early connection between sound and emotion sets the stage for Haglund's lifelong exploration of music's power to evoke and express the deepest human experiences.

The book doesn't shy away from the challenges Haglund faced in his youth. We learn of his difficult relationship with his father and a prolonged hospital stay at a young age. These experiences, while painful, proved formative for the young musician. Haglund's description of listening to radio static in the hospital, imagining himself traveling through space, offers a poignant glimpse into the imaginative world that would later inform his compositions.

Creative Evolution

This book does not simply recount Haglund’s life; it explores the very essence of the creative process itself. Readers will find themselves captivated by Haglund's musical journey, from his first encounters with classical music to his development as a composer. The book details pivotal moments, such as hearing Mozart's Piano Concerto no. 21 for the first time, a visit to a medium, and his studies with the unconventional but inspiring teacher Claes-Göran Bjerding. These anecdotes not only chart Haglund's growth as a musician but also reveal the depth of his passion for music from an early age.

Haglund translates emotions, physical sensations, and spiritual experiences into sound. His approach to composition challenges conventional notions of music-making and invites readers to consider the physical and spiritual dimensions of musical experience.

Music and Spirituality

One of the book's most compelling aspects is its exploration of the connection between Haglund's music and his spiritual life. The composer's encounter with the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg marks a turning point, profoundly influencing his approach to composition. 

Throughout the book, Yardumian maintains a delicate balance between chronicling Haglund's artistic development and exploring the deeper philosophical and spiritual questions that drive his work. The result is a narrative that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant, touching on themes of creativity, spirituality, and the human condition.

Music and Culture

Yardumian skillfully weaves commentary into the narrative, showing how the larger cultural context informs Haglund's creative process and his role in the larger artistic fabric. For readers interested in the contemporary classical music scene, Listening to Eternity places Haglund within the broader landscape of modern classical music, highlighting his distinctive voice and approach. 

Music and Healing

Importantly, Listening to Eternity is a story of resilience and transformation. Haglund journeys through periods of illness, anxiety, and artistic struggle to eventual recognition and acclaim. He reveals how his compositions became both a sanctuary and an expression of his quest for healing and connection with the cosmos. Haglund’s unwavering commitment to his artistic vision, even in the face of adversity, serves as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of spiritually-influenced art.

The Somatic Experience of Music

Haglund and Yardumian reflect on the somatic power of music, how compositions generate visceral, bodily experiences that transcend mere sound. For Haglund, music is a medium of conveyance—one that channels spiritual insights and emotions from composer to listener. His works act as a bridge between the material and the divine, offering listeners a chance to journey inward while being transported by the music’s emotional and spiritual depth.

Accessible, Personal Story

This book will appeal to a wide range of readers, from classical music aficionados and composers seeking inspiration, to spiritual seekers interested in the intersection of art and spirituality. It also offers valuable insights for those studying the creative process or exploring the relationship between personal experience and artistic expression.

Listening to Eternity stands as a unique contribution to the literature on contemporary classical music and a compelling exploration of one artist's quest to translate the ineffable into sound.